Roads from Canberra to Melbourne.

[Gadget]

On the 14th Sep 2015 I was planning on leaving Lionel's place and traveling via Jindabyne and Khancoban. However, today I talking to a friend who had just returned from a Ski trip to the area and advised that show chains and 4WD are recommended. He didn't think it would be suitable for a bike yet. The roads are good, but slippery even in a 4WD.

So............

I was thinking of heading south from Canberra and going via the Monaro Highway to Lakes Entrance and then to Pascoe Vale South in Melbourne.

Hae anyone ridden this route recently?

Is it likely to be black ice effected? That is, does it reach snow line altitudes?

Thanks in advance.

[Lionel]

I don't like that stretch of road even when it's bone dry (no black ice) in summer. The road is too narrow in a lot of places to mark a centreline and some tintops interpret that to mean they can use most of the road. You can also hit small rocks and branches that fall on the road. Did I mention emus, deer and roos that inhabit the Kosciuszko National park?
I would travel Cooma, Nimmitabel, Bombala, Cann River to get over the range. Wombats and roos can be pests on this road, though mainly at night.
Lakes Entrance is one of the jewels in Victoria's crown so it's worth visiting.
However, you need to be warned that Hackle lurks down there somewhere.

[Gadget]

That is the route Google recommended as an alternative to the Hume

Does it go up high in altitude?

[Williamson]

..... I was thinking of heading south from Canberra and going via the Monaro Highway to Lakes Entrance and then to Pascoe Vale South in Melbourne.....

Wow!  So many options .......

I've ridden from Bombala to Melbourne many times, this would have to be my favourite route:


This will take you through Bruthen (Bullant Brewery is worth a visit if you staying the night, pub or caravan park) and avoids the slow ride (local traffic, caravans, etc.) between Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale, avoids Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale (IMHO - only go through these towns if you really want to).  The roads are all good, lightly trafficked and there are lots of corners.

[ST2UP]

Good overnight pub stay in Bairnsdale.....The Grande Terismos Hotel had great food, cheap accom and bike undercover out the back behind locked gates 

[Williamson]

Good overnight pub stay in Bairnsdale.....The Grande Terismos Hotel had great food, cheap accom and bike undercover out the back behind locked gates 

Err!  I think you mean the Grand Terminus Hotel - http://www.grandterminus.com.au/

The food ain't great, it's very great, hotel rooms some with ensuite, bike parking behind the bottle shop roller doors, make sure you tell the staff you want to leave early (if that's what you want), otherwise you may be waiting for the bottle shop to open at 10:00am.

[Gadget]

I'm planning on riding through from Canberra to Pascoe Vale in one go, stopping for fuel and sight seeing.

But I'll keep that accommodation option in mind in case I succumb to the cold and dallying to long at different places taking photos.